Best places to swim with sharks

By Laura Ma, CNN
Updated 7:03 AM EST, Thu February 9, 2017
<strong>Cocos Island, Costa Rica:</strong> Approximately 300 miles off the island that Jacques Cousteau once described as "the most beautiful in the world," shark dive trips are offered on live-aboard boats.
Cocos Island, Costa Rica: Approximately 300 miles off the island that Jacques Cousteau once described as "the most beautiful in the world," shark dive trips are offered on live-aboard boats.
courtesy edwar herreño
<strong>Bahamas: </strong>The Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) conducts shark feeder courses.
Bahamas: The Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) conducts shark feeder courses.
courtesy unexso
<strong>Bahamas: </strong>Marine parks in the Bahamas have shark-friendly habitats. Around 40 types of sharks can be seen here.
Bahamas: Marine parks in the Bahamas have shark-friendly habitats. Around 40 types of sharks can be seen here.
courtesy Bimini Bull Run
<strong>Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa:</strong> Nervy visitors can get close to reef sharks, ragged-tooth sharks and giant guitar sharks when cage diving in Kwazulu-Natal.
Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa: Nervy visitors can get close to reef sharks, ragged-tooth sharks and giant guitar sharks when cage diving in Kwazulu-Natal.
courtesy Shark Cage Diving KZN
<strong>Bali, Indonesia: </strong>Bali Sharks runs a nursery for young sharks that have been saved from the finning trade.
Bali, Indonesia: Bali Sharks runs a nursery for young sharks that have been saved from the finning trade.
courtesy bali sharks
<strong>Protea Banks, South Africa:</strong> During high season, hammerheads and sand tiger sharks can be seen in schools of several hundred at Protea Banks.
Protea Banks, South Africa: During high season, hammerheads and sand tiger sharks can be seen in schools of several hundred at Protea Banks.
courtesy Afridive
<strong>Oahu, Hawaii:</strong> No diving experience is necessary when cage diving with a snorkel on Oahu's North Shore.
Oahu, Hawaii: No diving experience is necessary when cage diving with a snorkel on Oahu's North Shore.
courtesy shark encounters
<strong>False Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: </strong>No one knows why shark breaches at False Bay are more frequent and intense than anywhere else in the world. But they're great to see.
False Bay, Cape Town, South Africa: No one knows why shark breaches at False Bay are more frequent and intense than anywhere else in the world. But they're great to see.
courtesy ASEC
<strong>Red Sea, Egypt: </strong>The Red Sea is one of the best places to observe oceanic white tips and snaggletooth sharks.
Red Sea, Egypt: The Red Sea is one of the best places to observe oceanic white tips and snaggletooth sharks.
courtesy PURE DIVING
<strong>Fiji:</strong> Divers will see at least seven shark species on each dive in the Pacific Harbor of Fiji, tour organizers claim.
Fiji: Divers will see at least seven shark species on each dive in the Pacific Harbor of Fiji, tour organizers claim.
courtesy Aua Trek Neqa Dive Centre
<strong>Malapascua, Philippines:</strong> Malapascua's Monad Shoal has been designated a marine park to protect thresher sharks. Threshers' tails can make up to half their body length, which can grow to as long as six meters.
Malapascua, Philippines: Malapascua's Monad Shoal has been designated a marine park to protect thresher sharks. Threshers' tails can make up to half their body length, which can grow to as long as six meters.
courtesy thresher shark divers
Best places to dive with sharks

Story highlights

For a particular type of traveler, "shark-infested" is exactly how water should be

The global shark tourism industry makes an estimated $500 million a year

Options include viewing inside a cage and feeding sharks

CNN  — 

Megalodon may be extinct, but other sharks have been making headlines lately.

There’s the great white-tracking app Sharktivity, there’s this viral photo of a shark dangerously close to a surfing boy, and there’s the Australian zebra shark who shocked scientists by giving birth without a male.

And as our fascination shows no sign of abating, swimming with sharks continues to be a large and growing activity.

The global shark tourism industry makes an estimated $500 million a year, says Patric Douglas, founder of Shark Divers and a shark dive specialist based in California.

Many tout swimming with sharks as one of the greatest diving experiences to be had.

Depending on the diver’s comfort level, options range from observing sharks from underwater cages to participating in feedings.

Here’s where to do it.

MORE: Great white shark tracking goes mobile

False Bay, Cape Town, South Africa

Chris Fallows shark_00003427.jpg
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Cage diving with great white sharks
02:07 - Source: CNN

African-Shark Eco-charter

It’s a mystery why shark breaches at False Bay are more frequent and intense than anywhere else in the world.

“White sharks from around the world will breach here, but may not anywhere else,” says Karen Lawrence from African Shark Eco-charter. “The intense predator-prey interaction is majestic to watch.”

Rob Lawrence, owner of African Shark Eco-charter, is one of the first people to have used a decoy to entice a shark breach.

The Air-Jaws tour takes off at dawn, when shark breaching is the most common.

The charter also offers cage diving with great whites.

African-Shark Eco-charter, Boardwalk Centre, St. George’s Street, South Africa; +27 082 838 2309; contact airjaws@mweb.co.za for package rates

Shark Cage Diving KZN

Kwazulu-Natal’s unspoiled waters offer sightings of reef sharks, ragged-tooth sharks and giant guitar sharks.

Each guest spends 30 minutes in the cage during the two-and-a-half-hour trip.

Divers may encounter up to 20 sharks.

Shark Cage Diving KZN, 4182 Old Main Road, South Africa; 082 373 5950 (RSA)/+27 - 82 - 373 5950 (International); dives from around $100 per person

Apex Shark Expeditions

February to September is the best time for shark cage diving trips in False Bay.

When False Bay is out of season, Apex Shark Expeditions – run by Chris and Monique Fallows – offer trips to Gansbaai year-round.

The waters off Dyer Island have earned the nickname Shark Alley due to their remarkable great white shark populations, attracted by the 60,000-strong sea colony on Geyser Rock.

Apex Shark Expeditions, Quayside Buildings, Main Road, Simon’s Town, Cape Town; +27 79 051 8558; contact info@apexpredators.com for rates

Swimming with the underwater Big 5

Protea Banks, South Africa

AfriDive

Divers may encounter up to eight different species of sharks in one dive at Protea Banks. During high season, hammerheads and sand tiger sharks can be seen in schools of several hundred.

AfriDive is an advanced dive site and a prime location to see bull and tiger sharks.

“It is an adrenaline-loaded thrill,” says Afridive owner Roland Mauz. “Banks is what I call the Himalayas of scuba diving,” he says.

AfriDive, Albert Meyer Drive, Shelley Beach, South Africa; 0824 567 885; dives from $135 per person